EMPLOYERS: On Gen Y Teams, The Y Stands For "YES"

By J.T. O'Donnell Generational differences is a topic that everyone has heard of, especially, when the topic turns to the youngest generation in the workforce, a.k.a. Gen Y. This group has gotten a lot of media attention - mostly for their attention-getting ways. Terms like 'lazy,' 'entitled,' and 'immature' have come to define them among many management teams. Well, like any group, there are some bad apples. And yes, I've met a fair share of Gen Y where the 'y' stood for "YIKES!" But, I'm happy to say, I personally know of Gen Y teams where the 'y' stands for "YES!" Let me explain... The internship program I've developed at the University of New Hampshire is one of the business projects I've enjoyed most in the last few years. Besides gaining valuable insight about the job seekers we are trying to help (they are exactly who the site is intended to serve, so who better to help build it?), they also bring an energy and humor to the job that makes work fun. Honestly, one of the best parts of my week the last few months have been our Friday meetings. Since it's an unpaid internship, I buy them lunch and we sit around and have some of the most interesting conversations...it's given me some insight into what to expect when my kids get to be that age. And when it comes to these smart, polite and determined young professionals, I can only hope my two end up like them. This spring, we expanded our program and had 12 (yep 12!) interns working in various teams. I don't need to tell you how they performed because you can look at the site and see they did a rock solid job. I don't think it's a coincidence that our site traffic has TRIPLED since January. So now, I'd like to introduce you to some true talent. ATTENTION EMPLOYERS: if you are looking to get the best bang for your buck out of an entry-level candidate, I'd suggest you contact someone on this list. I'm available to provide detailed references on each of them. And for any managers who are thinking, "Hmmmm. How can I start one of those internship programs for my company?" - contact me. I consult companies on launching and maintaining strong internship programs. Let me show you how to turn students and grads in to valuable talent. And any students or recent grads who are thinking, "Hmmmm. How do I get a virtual internship with CAREEREALISM.com?" - be sure to apply for our summer 'twinternship.' It's open to applicants nationwide. All you need is internet access.

CAREEREALISM TV Team

Name Katrina Meidanis (Team Leader) Twitter@KatrinaMeidanis Favorite Quote Related To Career"There is no security in life, only opportunity."(Mark Twain)Dream Job & Explanation Why My dream job would be to work for a news station. For as long as I can remember, I have always had a great passion for the news and keeping up on current issues. After interning one summer for WBZ-TV, I realized that it was definitely something that I would love to do! Most Important Insight You've Had About Career Development To Date The most important thing I've learned about career development is learning how to brand yourself. With the economy being the way it is, job opportunities are not how they used to be which means everyone needs to learn to create a brand identity. Future employers are not going to be handing jobs out left and right, that is why you need a unique brand identity that will help you stand out from the crowd! Best Part of CAREEREALISM.com Internship The best part of the Careerealism.com internship program, is being a part of a team. We act as a small company that works together to reach our goals. Because of this friendly environment we have created, we are all able to grow and shine in our own unique ways. Name Josh Neal Twitter@JoshNealFavorite Quote Related To Career"Life isn't about the destination, it's about the journey." (Unknown) Dream Job & Explanation Why I'd love to have a job where I travel and meet new people. I also wouldn't mind working from home or at least in an environment that's always changing. Most Important Insight You've Had About Career Development To Date Personal branding: brand yourself or be branded. You need to make an online career/personal identity. Best Part of CAREEREALISM.com Internship I get to work my own hours when it's convenient for me. I also enjoy the casual work environment. We have fun but we also get a lot accomplished. NameShannon F. CarrollTwitter@ShannonFCarrollFavorite Quote Related To Career"A person is a success if they get up in the morning and gets to bed at night and in between does what he wants to do." (Bob Dylan) Dream Job & Explanation Why To own my own event planning/promotions company. Most Important Insight You've Had About Career Development To Date Personal Branding is a key step in staying competitive in the job market and a lot of people don’t do it or know the importance of it. By blogging and visiting social media sites like Twitter, you are actively putting your name online as a credible source. As JT says, Brand yourself or Be Branded! Best Part of CAREEREALISM.com Internship The best part of the Careerealism.com internship is the valuable information and experience I’m learning from my JT and my peers. By working together, we’re able to learn about all aspects what it takes to run a successful company and valuable tips on how to find a job in today’s fickle economy.

Content Team

NameCarly Laubenstein (Team Leader) Twitter@CLaubensteinFavorite Quote Related To Career"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing." (Abraham Lincoln) Dream Job & Explanation Why Writer for Rolling Stone Magazine: My fascination with music is equal to my passion for the written word. I would love nothing more than to get the chance to combine the two things that inspire human emotion and pick at the genius musicians of our past, present and future. Most Important Insight You've Had About Career Development To Date Value and trust your mentors, they only want what's best for you. Best Part of CAREEREALISM.com Internship Learning from J.T., my team and being exposed to the power of social media on the Internet. Name Brian Shamberger Twitter@BrianShambergerFavorite Quote Related To Career"Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence." (Albert Einstein) Dream Job & Explanation Why Working in the field of Organizational Development for a company because it will allow me to apply what I have learned as a Psychology major about group dynamics, and communication/ active listening skills to benefit many people at once. Most Important Insight You've Had About Career Development To Date Do what you are passionate about. Follow your interests and the money will come. Best Part of CAREEREALISM.com Internship Learning how to develop my own personal brand by strengthening my own personal skills in my field of interest, which is applied psychology Name Brendan Brock Twitter@BrendanBrockFavorite Quote Related To Career"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." (Aristotle) Dream Job & Explanation Why My dream job would be to work for the Fish and Game Deptartment as a conservation officer. I want to be a contributing part of making my community safer while working outdoors and striving to protect our natural resources and wildlife. Most Important Insight You've Had About Career Development To Date You must think of yourself as a product. You have to effectively market your strengths and skills to potential employers if you want to get hired. Best Part of CAREEREALISM.com Internship The best part of this Careerealism internship is that it has opened my eyes and help motivate me to start working towards my career path. J.T. has helped me realize a job isn’t going to be handed to me once I graduate. Instead, I have become proactive and begun taking steps to reach out and grab my career by the horns. This is something most college students miss out on.

Public Relations Team

NameMeg Homan (Team Leader) Twitter@MegHomanFavorite Quote Related To CareerYour vision will become clear only when you look into your heart. Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens. (Carl Jung) Dream Job & Explanation Why My dream job is one where I will wake up excited for the day and will truly enjoy my work. My job will not feel like a job. Most Important Insight You've Had About Career Development To Date Always follow your gut instinct when it comes to life and your career. Best Part of CAREEREALISM.com Internship The best part of this internship is it has helped me gain insight on the way the business world (specifically the PR world) works while still being a student. I have been able to build my resume and my career skills. Name John Shea Twitter@JohnFSheaFavorite Quote Related To Career"A billion here, a billion there, pretty soon you're talking real money."Dream Job & Explanation Why My dream job would be to own and operate my own business. There is so much money out there to be made and so many business opportunities just to be discovered. The possibilities are endless. Most Important Insight You've Had About Career Development To Date The most important insight on career development that I have had so far is that every job is temporary. No matter how good as a certain job you are, there is always going to be someone out there who could replace you, maybe even for less money. You have to figure out a way to make yourself indispensable and keep the job you love. Best Part of CAREEREALISM.com Internship The best part of being part of CAREEREALISM.com is the endless amounts of experience and knowledge you gain on career development, for free. People pay thousands of dollars for the type of training we are receiving as interns, yet we are the lucky ones who do not have to pay a dime. As interns, we are out there in the real world pitching, marketing, and selling the website, and getting that real life experience everyone needs to prepare for the real world. NameMichaela DeRocheTwitter@MichaelaDeRocheFavorite Quote Related To Career"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." (Winston Churchill) Dream Job & Explanation Why My dream job is to be an event planner. This is a job where I could combine my creativity with my communication skills. My marketing background would compliment this career and prove helpful when advertising and promoting the firm I would work for. I enjoy working with others and in this profession I would constantly meet new people. My articulateness and attention to detail would make me a great candidate. Most Important Insight You've Had About Career Development To Date The most important insight I have had recently about career development is that you must create a personal brand for yourself.The question is, how are you going to stand out of the crowd of other applicants? By networking, blogging, using tools like twitter and Linkedin employers will be able to see my personal brand.Today, employers are using the internet to find out more about potential employees. If someone were to search my name blogs that I’ve written, my twitter account, and my Linkedin account would all show up. This creates a strong identity and gives the employer an idea of who you are. It is extremely important to brand yourself because as J.T says “brand or be branded.” Best Part of CAREEREALISM.com Internship The best part of being an intern at Careerealism.com is that I feel prepared to graduate and face the real world. Every day I read articles on workitdaily.com and hear others stories of success, and this is a great educational tool.J.T has helped me write a great resume, cover letter, and taught me how to brand myself online.The information on Careerealism has helped me tremendously and it makes me passionate about guiding others to this site.

Social Media Team

Name Timothy C. Merchant (Team Leader) Twitter@TimCMerchantFavorite Quote Related To Career"Many people worry so much about managing their careers, but rarely spend half that much energy managing their LIVES. I want to make my life, not just my job, the best it can be. The rest will work itself out.” (Reese Witherspoon) Dream Job & Explanation Why My dream job would be to own and operate a golf course. I think that I would be able to run a course very well. I have been golfing for most of my life so I have a good sense of what needs to be done for a course to run smoothly. I enjoy golfing so that would be a major plus to golf for free, and meeting all the different people that would come through the course is something I think would be interesting because I am a real people person. Most Important Insight You've Had About Career Development To Date I think the best advice I have gotten would be from J.T about branding yourself. It is true that with the internet today people can search you and come up with assumptions about you without ever even meeting you. This can be harmful but if you take advantage of it than it can work in your benefit. Things like blogging and having a Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and other social media sites can work to your advantage. Best Part of CAREEREALISM.com Internship The best part of interning at CAREEREALISM would be being able to have discussions with J.T every week about career advice and other things in the career field. For free I get to hear some great career advice on a weekly basis from a certified career advisor. I actually look forward to the meetings because everyone on the team is very close and the meetings are not just all about business, we all get to know each other better every week. Name Andrew Hennessy Twitter@AndrewHennessyFavorite Quote Related To Career"Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life."Dream Job & Explanation Why Major League Baseball Manager: Baseball has been a huge part of my life growing up and I have always wanted to be the manager of a major league team (preferably the Boston Red Sox). Most Important Insight You've Had About Career Development To Date Start networking at an early age. Its not only what you know, its who you know. Best Part of CAREEREALISM.com Internship The best part of CAREEREALISM is getting personal coaching and contact with J.T. O'Donnell. She is an expert when it comes to career advice and having her as a resource has opened so many career opportunities for me that I never were thought possible. Name Anthony Dineen Twitter@AnthonyDineenFavorite Quote Related To Career"It's not who you know, it's who knows YOU."Dream Job & Explanation Why My dream job would be to work with any federal executive agency like the FBI, DEA,or the US Marshal. Since I was little I've always wanted to be the one who catches the bad guys and saves the day. Now it's a reality with the Marine Corps Reserves, and I only want to continue with a career doing something good to help make others safe. Most Important Insight You've Had About Career Development To Date The most important career insight to date is finding out that you don't have to be afraid of rejection, because it won't kill you, you can always try again, or with another company. Best Part of CAREEREALISM.com Internship The best part of the CAREEREALISM internship is the atmosphere I get to work in, the group setting. It not only cultivates great ideas to help get the job done with a great result, but it helps to grow ourselves as professional individual.